US halts immigrant visas for 75 countries, Kazakhstan on the list
Tengrinews.kz – The United States has suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. The measure applies specifically to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners wishing to reside in the United States, but not to applicants for short-term visas such as tourists or students, NBC News reports.
The State Department stated that all procedures related to reviewing applications from citizens of these countries will be suspended “while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
The suspension applies specifically to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners who want to live in the United States, but not to short-term visas for those coming as temporary workers, students or tourists, including visas related to the football World Cup, the outlet specifies.
The measure will take effect on January 21. A U.S. representative confirmed to the outlet that the following countries are on the list:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
The Trump administration has already taken steps to restrict immigration from many of the countries mentioned in the list.
In December, the administration suspended consideration of immigration applications from citizens of 19 countries. On Tuesday, the administration announced the cancellation of temporary protected status for Somalis in the United States.
As a reminder, when processing applications, consular officers will now take into account a wide range of factors: health, age, knowledge of English, financial situation, and potential need for long-term medical care. Visas may be denied to elderly people, individuals with excess weight, as well as those who have previously received cash assistance from the state or resided in state institutions.